In her State of the Campus Address to the Rutgers–Camden community, Interim Provost Margaret Marsh offered two words to characterize the Rutgers–Camden campus for the academic year: transition and transformation
Marsh, who assumed the role of interim Camden provost upon the departure of Roger Dennis in May, welcomed faculty, staff, and student, to the new semester during a daytime forum on September 19 and an evening session on September 25.
“This is a year of transition for our campus, and not simply because you have an interim provost,” she said. “It’s also a year of transformation as our campus becomes a Ph.D.-granting campus.” Marsh reported on such new initiatives as the inaugural class of the nation’s first Ph.D. program in childhood studies, which also represents Camden’s first-ever doctoral program; the first year of a new doctor of physical therapy program, offered jointly with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; and new master’s programs in childhood studies and computer science.
She noted the successful completion of extensive upgrades to the campus dining hall; the ongoing construction of a new law school facility; and the installation of a striking public artwork. More important, she reflected on Rutgers–Camden’s progress during the past decade.
“As a historian, I always believe that in order to know where I am going, I need to know where I’ve been. I believe that holds true for institutions as well as individuals,” said Marsh, who cited 1997 as a benchmark year because “that’s the last time that this campus had a new provost.”
During the intervening years, enrollment rose from 4,833 in 1997 to nearly 5,400 in 2007; sponsored research increased from $1.9 million to $9.4 million; and fundraising advanced from $1.52 million to nearly $6.6 million.
In light of such growth, as well as the ongoing national search for a permanent provost, Marsh cited enrollment as the first among four priorities for the Camden Campus during the 2007-08 year. “Recruitment of new students, and retention of those we have, will be at the top of my goals for this year,” she said, noting the immediate goal of restoring the campus’ historic high point for enrollment (approximately 5,700, achieved in 2004) by fall 2008.
Enhancements to campus facilities and grounds, the advancement of Rutgers–Camden’s national reputation, and collaborative support for the campus academic units rounded out Marsh’s agenda for the year. She will return to her role as dean of the Camden Faculty of Arts and Sciences upon the completion of the provost search.